When is autopsy mandatory?
1. Not neccessarily. If the cause of death is very clear, they may not do an autopsy. If it is not required by the coroner, then the family may request one. Katie, who posted above, did a good job of detailing the circumstances under which an autopsy is mandated. 2. You absolutely can do those tests on a deceased person. They do not require life, and may be simpler and cheaper than doing a full autopsy. A CT scan could identify bleeding in the brain, while an MRI will be able to give great detail about other aneurysms or whatnot. Xrays are often done on children who have died under suspicion of child abuse. They try to identify fractures all over the body that might show old injuries. 3. Yes, the coroner may force an autopsy without consent of kin, such as suspicion of homicide, or fatal child abuse as above.
